Wellness Wednesday: Medical Metaphors, Pharmacogenetics

11am

When disease attacks our bodies, our immune systems fight back. Military metaphors abound in the medical world, but not all patients want to feel like GIs on the front lines or soldiers under siege. Coming up, we’ll take a look at why metaphors matter, and alternative ways to think about illness. Plus, we’ll learn how a simple genetic test could greatly improve patient outcomes by precisely prescribing drug dosages.

Guests

Dr. Dhruv Khullar, medical resident at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Kathy Richards, chief clinical officer of ViaQuest healthcare

Dr. John Swartzberg, chair of the editorial board of the Berkeley School of Public Health Wellness Letter